Is it possible to freeze grapes: rules, TOP 4 ways at home for the winter

Often in winter you want to taste some summer vegetables or fruits. Grapes harvested from August to early autumn are no exception. In addition to taste, every culinary specialist would like to preserve the beneficial properties of the berry. Most summer fruits, when placed in the freezer for the winter period, do not lose their qualities, but is it possible to still freeze grapes? It is worth looking into this matter.

Can grapes be frozen?

Like many summer delicacies, this product in the freezer does not lose any taste or useful qualities.Direct proof of this: in cold regions, with a sharp drop in temperatures, the berries remain just as attractive to various bird species. Someone thinks that freezing grapes is an extra fuss in the kitchen, because in supermarkets you can easily buy greenhouse fruits, berries, vegetables.

However, fresh frozen food retains all of the vitamin C it is so rich in. Artificially grown specimens cannot boast of this quality. In addition to the fact that frozen berries can please the family in winter with their "summer" taste, this grape can be used to cook excellent compotes and fruit drinks.

Which varieties are suitable?

When choosing grapes for freezing, you should pay attention to varieties that have a thick skin, and the texture of the berries themselves is quite dense. Often these are dark table varieties. Their properties make it possible to preserve the original state of the grapes even after prolonged freezing. Also, quite often, experienced housewives opt for raisins.The berries of this variety are quite large, and the lack of seeds makes the process of eating a summer product in winter even more pleasant.

Selection and preparation of berries

When buying grapes in the market or in the store, your choice must be based on the beauty, as well as the size of the berries. It is a good idea to try the product before purchasing a large quantity of goods.

You need to be a little more careful when harvesting directly from a branch in the garden.

This procedure is best done in the second half of September, when it is dry and clear. Moisture on fruit can cause damage when frozen.

It is necessary to cut the brushes very carefully, making sure that the berries do not crack, do not wrinkle. Damaged ones should be eaten immediately, left for wine (if there is a desire to make it) or thrown away. The remaining brushes are carefully laid out in a box or box, covered with paper on top to protect against negative external factors.

Immediately before the freezing process, several steps must be taken:

1. Rinse brushes under running water, thoroughly cleaning from dirt and dust that may have accumulated during storage.
2. Hang them on a rope until the water drains completely and dries.
3. Put the grapes in the refrigerator for two hours.

Such preliminary preparation is required for any freezing recipe. If you skip this step, then there is a risk of damage to the berries and a decrease in the intensity of the taste of the product.

Options for freezing grapes for the winter

It would seem that there is nothing easier than putting the product in the freezer and leaving it there until winter. But in fact, in order for the berries to retain their beneficial properties and primary taste, they must be stored properly.In addition, there are a large number of recipes for freezing grapes, and each housewife must decide which one to choose. You can try different options every winter or cook several at once.

Cluster harvesting

In order for grapes frozen in clusters, harvested at home, not to deteriorate during storage, you must follow some rules:

1. Chilled bunches of grapes are laid out on a large dish or tray and left in the freezer for 6-8 hours.
2. After the grapes are sorted into bags for further storage. No more than 2-3 brushes (clusters) are placed in one package.
3. Now the product will retain all the beneficial qualities until it is consumed.

Experienced housewives note that this method is most suitable for berries, from which they plan to cook compote later. It will certainly be a tasty and he althy treat in the middle of a cold winter.

Grape puree

This method requires the most serious time costs, since each berry will have to be pitted. Then the grapes are placed in a blender along with sugar and pureed. The ratio of products is 2:1. The resulting mass is transferred for storage, sent to freeze.

Freeze in syrup

For light grape varieties, this method is recommended. Brushes are prepared by the traditional method. Next, the berries are separated and placed in a bowl for further freezing. Separately, prepare the syrup using 2 tbsp. l. water with dissolved 1 tbsp. l. Sahara. The syrup is thoroughly stirred and poured over the berries in a container.

Freezing in sugar

One of the simplest, but no less successful ways to freeze grapes. Individual berries are thoroughly washed, then placed in a bag. Sugar is also added here.Then you need to carefully move the "mixture" into the bowl. In this way, the sugar is evenly mixed with the berries, which are not damaged.

How and how much can be stored?

Frozen grapes that are carefully cleaned as well as properly cooked will last all winter. So even in early spring you can please your loved ones with compote from summer berries. True, if the refrigerator is defrosted, it is better to use the grapes immediately.

Defrost Rules

To ensure that the berries do not lose their taste, it is important to defrost them properly. The process is carried out in stages. Initially, packages or containers with the product are transferred to the refrigerator for 10-18 hours. Fast defrosting method: Pour warm water over grapes. True, in this case, the product is immediately consumed.

Before eating, the workpiece is not recommended to be placed in the microwave. As a result, part of the vitamins is destroyed, as with gradual thawing at room temperature.

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